San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-17

reproducing herself bitterly for not be-
ing able to induce the girl TO make her
self more sociable OK at home. Jack
spent most of his time in his studio,
and did not conceal his reasons from
his wife, who blamed herself, on his
account also, for bringing such a wet
blanket" into his house.
One day however, having left Maude
to amuse herself as best she could in
the garden, while she herself attended
to some housewifely duty, on her re-
turn she saw her guest and husband
talking earnestly together. Jack had
thrown off his usual half-sarcastlc
manner, and was evidently trying to
explain something, whilst Maude, all
her cOmposure gone, was listening IN
tently, almost anXiously, now and then
putting in few words, which, even at
that distance, Margaret fancied were
pleading. AT last Maude held out her
hand to Jack, who pressed it warmly;
then she turned and ran into the house
without noticing her hostess.
Jack wandered on down the garden,
smoking, and so deep in thought that
he never noticed Margaret till she gent
ly laid her hand upon his arm. 1t was
promptly seized, and, drawing her to
him, Jack kissed her passionately.
My darling, thank Heaven l have
you'll l declare"-he continued, flush
ing, and laughing uneasily-"that girl
is witchl"
"Why? What has she been saying?"
ooh, l don't knowl Yes, dol Look
here Margaret | came out Just now
for breath of fresh air, for had been
working hard all the morning, when !
found your cousin sitting under the old
cedar. She looked so utterly dOwncast
that l could not help asking her what
was the matter. My question evident
ly upset her cOmpOsure, for, to my hOr-
rOr, she burst into flood of tears. OF
course then | could not leave her, and
had to quiet her the best l could. At
last the whole story came out; she gave
me full account of her life, and a
pleasant one it was! By Jove, / only
wonder the poor girl has stood it so
longl And, child, when l heard her dis
NAL little egotistical views of life,
every wish even for better things
crushed down to dead level of world
ly prosperity and good form, her only
clear idea half-cynical distrust Of
every one round her, her only knowl-
edge that of things of which she ought
to be as innocent as baby, my
heart ached for the girl. Then 1
to me, and of all this girl might and
should be with the right training, and
so gave her a straightforward bit of
mind She took it awfully well; but it
did not stop her crying, 50 was not by
any means sorry when she bOlted into
the house. But it set me thinking of
the future, and, if we should have
dear little girl, what a responsibility it
would be; and, as you came up, was
Just thanking Heaven for the little wo-
man who is of course the plague of my
life, but who, after all, is my best
chance of ever being or doing any
thingl"
Mrs. Melford pressed her husbands
arms lovingly, and they wandered on
together, making plans for Maude Al
vertOn. When that young lady reap
peared, she was as cool and composed
as ever, and Margaret found herself
wondering if she had dreamt of the
scene beneath the cedar.
From that day she watched her cOu-
sin closely, and the result of her watch
ing was not altogether satisfactory.
Maude, becoming used to her cousins,
gradually showed more and more of
her true self, and, whilst many traits
only tended to increase their liking for
her, her defects, which, to do her JUS
tice, arose chiefly from her education,
became more evident. She often let
her hosts see-unintentionally truly,
but none the less plainly-that she
missed the daily luXuries which at
home she was accustomed to consider
simple neceSSarieS. On these Occa-
sions Mrs. Melford WINGED, but Jack
MelfOrd only laughed, sometimes
chatting" her openly and unmerciful-
ly, at others Struggling his shoulders
and petting her as if she were spoilt
child.
If Mrs. AlvertOn's idea had been
that the narrow means and common
place daily life of the Melfords would
disenchant her step-daughter. used to
luxury, and in spite of her imaginary
from, any wayl" AS he turned, he
caught sight of a photograph lying on
the floor, and unconsciously picked it
up and looked at it. Dear old Gerald
How well he loOksl Wouldn't he laugh
if he knew of my predicamentl BY
Jove, what notionl See if don't
pay you out of all this bother, Miss Al
verton - Thornleighl" And he sat
down and began writing as follows
Dear old Jerry-If you have not totally
forgotten your promise or changed your
L e., myself and the partner of my joys and
woes-have returned from Italy and have
set up for the present at HattOn, jolly little
village on the G. W. II. As we have fair
ly comfortable spare room, the sooner you
redeem your pledge and come and see Us
the better shall like it. L am not going 10
write yarn about your welcome, et-cCBterd
III you are the same Gerald FOULS as Of old
at Elton and Oxford, you know how glad |
shall be to see you, and, thank goodness, in
the matter of my old friends, at all events
Margaret and are one. / heard from Da-
ventry of your return from India, and OF
your accession of rank. From what he told
me, fear the latter is no great subject Of
cOngratulati0n, and that you were far better
off in the old days
"DO, for charity's sake, come and stay
with us! My wife is dear, CHEEKY little
body, a tete-d-tete with whom L enjoy i'm
mensely; but she has lately developed she
cousin, and feel daily more and more that
alone and unassisted, l cannot any longer
make head against the pair of them; so do
come and oblige Your old friend,
JACK.
"P. S.-Look hereI Don't for goodness
sake, fall in love with either of the girls.
Both are pretty; but ones engaged, and the
other hasn't a half.penly. Ry-the-way, pve
dropped the Lord in your case, and an
nounced you as plain Gerald Foulis.'"
Jack gave sigh of relief when this
letter was finished, and soon after
dropped it himself into the post.
That evening, sitting under the
cedar with his wife and her cousin, he
remarked casually
"By-the-by, Madge, you'll have to
make the gable-room tidy. l half ex-
pect an old friend, Gerald, commonly
called Jerry FOULS, for a few days
visit. I think you'll both like him;